From: web-form@Oswego.EDU Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 3:50 PM To: ucc@oswego.edu; loem@oswego.edu Subject: Web Form: Course Submission IP Address: 129.3.50.171 Department Chair: Karen Wolford Department Chair Email: Wolford@oswego.edu Additional Contact: Dave Sargent Additional Contact Email: Sargent@oswego.edu Course Number: Psy 432 Course Type: New Course Course Title: Applied Animal Learning Principles Catalog Description: This course will involve the linking of upper-division undergraduate students with dogs housed in an animal shelter. Students will apply, assess and analyze basic principles of learning aimed at improving the socialization and obedient responses of the animals. Prerequisites: Psy 290 with permission of instructor. Sp - every Spring: Yes Semester Hours: 4 Justification for course: This course provides an opportunity to apply learning principles to a real world setting. This application will provide a broader understanding of the area of learning for the student, provide a benefit to the specific animals (shelter canines) used, provide service learning in weekly two hour labs in addition to lecture sessions, and build strong, positive relationships between the college and community. Course Objectives: A. Develop a comprehensive and applied understanding of the underlying principles of learning and use those procedures and principles in a common real world setting. B. Establish an empirical base of knowledge in the area of dog training techniques and methods. C. Apply methods designed to improve the socialization of dogs. D. Learn and apply specific methods for teaching dogs basic obedience commands. E. Learn and apply methods of behavioral observation, assessment and evaluation, and analyze behavioral progress in work with dogs. Course Description: Course Outline: A. Basic Overview of Animal Learning Theory and Principles 1. Classical Conditioning 2. Operant Conditioning 3. Classical/Operant Interactions 4. Modeling Behaviors B. Applications of Learning Principles in Canines 1. Communication 2. Techniques 3. Tricks of the Trade C. Working with the Shelter Dogs 1. Approach Techniques 2. Socialization 3. Basic Skills 4. Advanced Skills D. Special Problems Work 1. Behavioral Problems 2. Training Problems Methods of Instruction: Lecture and discussion of principles, concepts, techniques and problems in the application of learning particularly in canines. Additional two-hour weekly lab. Dogs will be brought in to class initially for hands on training of the participants in class. Participants will then work one-on-one with shelter dogs under supervision of either the instructor, animal shelter personnel, local dog behavior experts, or any combination of the above. Course Requirements: Participants will: A. Keep personal daily journals relevant to the course and canine activities B. Write weekly reflective journals based on their daily reports and evaluations C. Write individual papers demonstrating the application of learning principles and the effects on the humans and canines in the learning situation. D. Work in small groups to develop empirical paradigms for measuring the effectiveness of various training methods (e.g., clicker training) with dogs. E. Participate in two-hours direct weekly contact with assigned canine. Means of Evaluation: Participants will be evaluated on their performance in the written work and on their work with the canines. Some emphasis will be placed on the completeness and quality of papers, journal entries, activity summaries, and data based analysis and assessment reports. Resources: Additional resources will include the input and occasional visitation from local animal shelter personnel and from area animal behavior trainers. No additional library or computer support will be necessary. 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